Full text of the statement made by the Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the recent Cyprus visit of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell is as follows:

“Unfortunately, the main problem of the Greek Cypriot side is that they perceive Cyprus and the seas surrounding the island as their own and define them their own areas of sovereignty. They do not want to share or even discuss these issues with the Turkish Cypriots” said President Mustafa Akıncı.

President Akıncı has said that there should not be much more delay to opening these checkpoints. He added that there is 3 km of road in Aplıç, South Cyprus, which should be asphalted, and said that if works on the road are completed within three months, both border checkpoints can be opened simultaneously.

Speaking at the TRNC Assembly during discussions on the budget, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a project to encourage the return of the Turkish Cypriots living abroad to the TRNC, and added that the project will be shared with the public […]

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Turkey favours Cyprus as a Unitary State based upon Political Equality and Two Founding States

EGEMEN BAGIS: ‘TURKEY’S PREFERENCE REGARDING CYPRUS IS A UNITARY STATE BASED ON POLITICAL EQUALITY AND TWO FOUNDING STATES’

Turkey’s EU Minister and the Main Negotiator Egemen Bagıs said that although there are many alternatives, Turkey’s preference for Cyprus is a unitary state based on political equality and two founding states.

Bagıs also added that today, the only EU member state between 27 countries which does not impose embargoes on the TRNC is South Cyprus. Direct flight to the other EU Member countries, import, and export are not possible. Greek Cypriots are crossing to the TRNC every day. This proves the reality that both people can live together.

Bagıs was the guest of AA Desk Editor under the head of AA General Director and the Head of the Board of Directors Kemal Ozturk and he answered questions regarding internal and foreign policy.

Indicating that before, Turkey was considered as a country which escapes from the negotiation table, intransigent, and the side which does not want to negotiate, Bagıs said that after 2002, Turkey proved it’s willpower to negotiate and formed a very different image.

Bagıs continued as: “We are in front of a spoiled Greek Cypriot Administration which refuses all of our solution proposals and never puts forward alternative solutions. The EU is also fed up of this situation. I think that the EU will at last force a solution.”

Reminding that he invited the Greek Cypriot leader to watch the match between Fenerbahce and AEL Limasol at the UEFA League, Bagıs said: “some disturbances have been faced at the matches with the Greek Cypriot side before. If the Greek Cypriots shall have a difficulty in providing security at the Fenerbahçe match I advise them to ask help from the TRNC which is very close to them. I am sure that the TRNC will do its best.”